For the non-game chat...

Hello there! :)

**pokes**

The player of the pseudodragon will be joining us soon - ill add him one i get out of work.

Hopefully a few more join. I rather liked Mirabelle so she'd be a fun addition.

Welcome Scriostus!

Welcome!

Hello folks!

Are we looking at going pretty freeform still or are we thinking of using a system?
I'm open to any systems but if it is one that I am not familiar with I'll need to lean pretty heavily on online materials and peoples guidance.

I would hope Freeform as my character would not work in a system.

Time to put up an advert for the game, methinks.

My reasons for a reboot was to do what our missing GM in the other game initially started: To do a D&D Forgotten Realms game but without the pesky charts, rolls & other mechanics.

So this will be a Freeform game.

Sounds good. I'd have to do some miracles with a system to make a Pseudodragon playable anyway!

When i start up, i will say the characters recovered that tome from the previous game & returned it to the Font of Knowledge in Waterdeep - this way i can intro new players/characters if i get no one else to join from our previous game.

As ive said, i will start up in a few weeks as i still have RL stuff to handle...

Here I am and here I shall remain.

Ok - i hope to start this game after the new year...Hope all are ready?

I will open the game for new players then - just wanted to give a heads up.

Looking forward to it. :)

Ok, i am dusting this old game off and giving it a go...

Anyone who is still here and still wanna play, sound off - should i get no response before saturday, ill remove your PC and begin opening the game to prospective players.

Woah! I barely remember what this game was!

In reply to DM (msg # 16):

Ha! I know its been awhile...Its basically FR but Freeform - no attack rolls, no saving throws, no keeping track of stats & numbers.

I live, I die, I live again!

So...If you guys are still interested, ill start us off in Waterdeep but in a different bar - one more suited to your characters. So just PM me your PCs Class, race (if i dont know it already) and your story - remember, in your character description, you can say how much your fellow PCs know if you just wanna keep your character vague.

I may or may not reprise my role as Amathavel - perhaps just make a PC to fill in on what we're lacking.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:51, Fri 15 Sept 2023.

Waiting on the player of Annastarria to let me know her class & race in a PM...Ill open the game to new players soon!

Sorry. I've been on the sick side the past week and we've had Covid tearing through the hospital. I'm testing negative but I'm symptomatic so presumed positive. :(

I figured something must've happened - feel better!

Ugh! My FIL is presenting with all the symptoms except shortness of breath. His boss tested positive but he has tested yet. I'm assuming he finally got it.

Wow - sorry to hear!

Hope you're ok!

I'm fine! I live on the east coast and my in-laws are on the west coast. It's almost like I intentionally moved across North America for some reason.

Ill be opening the game up to players soon - RL is annoying....

Ill be opening the game to potential players in a few...

And so it begins…

Say hello to our new member to the group, Mimi!

Still vetting some potential players - one down two to go!

Mimi, the Mimic. Ready to shape-shift and eat our enemies.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:55, Mon 02 Oct 2023.

Right, adhesion, slam, and pseudopod tendrils are a thing.

Adhesion is actually useful...

Also, bite attacks not a part of the dnd version.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:06, Mon 02 Oct 2023.

Now im picturing a Buddha statue suddenly sprouting teeth and attacking a Monk...

Yep, could be done.

Hello there.

Aldred may be our token normal Human.

I guess we will find out shortly.

Looks like this should be an interesting group!.

No wait I was wrong. Just didn't spot bite. Yes they have a bite attack I knew something was off...

So, what class are you?

Aldred would most likely be considered a Fighter, if that helps at all with planning other concepts.

So I take it the pseudodragon is a pseudofighter, Mimi is a pseudorogue, and Aldred is a pseudofighter. I'm guessing we'd prefer a form of healer.

Edit: mistook the pseudodragon for a faerie dragon sorry.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:34, Mon 02 Oct 2023.

I find that a healer, pseudo or no, is always welcome!

Ask and ye shall receive. Shandri is a psionic monk. She's capable of limited healing...pseudohealer, represent?

Anyway, hello everyone.

Ok - we have a very interesting group - remember, you can describe as much or as little in your character description on who and what you are - only your humble DM will know your true nature.

I do have one more player that needs to respond to me but so far what you see in The Cast is it for now!

Oh, I see Shandri, wonder what she's like. Hi Shandri!

Also, My character description is about the basic facts of mimics, I've found out on my foray. I didn't know where else to put that.

Welcome Shandri!

Welcomes all over the new people! Tis good to have you! :)

I see, I am not the only people eater here... I wonder if I'm the only one that's not classified as a cannibal for doing it though...

In reply to Mimi (msg # 46):

You’re assuming I’m a people….

Nope, not even a thought in my mind.

Really after you cross out the obvious two humans which would be classified as cannibals it really is boiled down to a pseudo-dragon and you. Which I didn't know the race of...

Edit: Psuedo-dragon should be way too small, and their naturally wizard's familiars so that's kind of out of the window.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:01, Tue 03 Oct 2023.

I’m a mystery wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a burrito. :D

In reply to Annastarria (msg # 49):

Tasty.

What makes you think that I'm a psuedo-fighter? I mean, I might fight psuedo's... I've never met any doppelgangers though.

Look at the statblock of the creature the person wants to be, and try to figure out the role.

Fighter, mage, Rogue, and healer.

Fighter is physical combat
Mage is Magical utility
Rogue is nonmagical utility
Healer is someone who can heal.

Now pseudodragon doesn't possess Magic, I learned you didn't choose a class so that's out the window. Healer is definitely out the window.

Leaving Rogue and Fighter. After that it's estimating in combat usage versus out of combat usage.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:45, Tue 03 Oct 2023.

Five seems like a good, manageable number.

I like the description Shandri.

In reply to Mimi (msg # 52):

Well, the game does takes place 11 years after the Time of Troubles so whos to say the Pseudodragon hasn't been altered by that year - he might be a polymorphed Silver Dragon stuck in Pseudodragon form for all we know...

My last player hasn't responded to me yet so i might get things started soon without him...

That reveals two bits of information that I didn't know previously.

1) think second edition not fifth or 3rd edition.
2) somethings off with the pseudodragon, and they're unwilling to reveal their capabilities due to in-game reasons. Which makes me return to my first point. Given what I know Pseudo-Fighter makes the most sense given the information I have.

Well, Shandri is 3.5 (okay, technically either Pathfinder or an Eberron-based 3.5 build, but that's a detail) but I assume she's a prototype and one of those developing the new psionics.

As for her role, as I mentioned, she's a psychically-enhanced fighter with some limited healing abilities. ...oh, damn, did I accidentally make an ersatz Paladin?

Just so we're clear...

This is a Free Form game. I will be using 3.5 as a Guide but that's it. I may call upon players in PM to cite what powers or abilities they are referring to in your actual character write up given to me (the DM) so i can incorporate it when i write descriptions or combat actions but that's the extent of it.

Remember kids, we're writing a story of our adventures here & not a supplement to the rules...

Welcome, newest player!

Welcome Ponder Kresh.

Greetings and salivations upon you!

In reply to Annastarria (msg # 60):

I see what you did there.

So, I'm guessing Annastarria is a ghoul, or a wendigo, and what the heck I'll throw in the classic of the Vampire.

I'll put some coin on some sort of Dragon.

You’ll get no answer from me _{unless the money’s good.}

Is this good?

Tis a good start.

"I present upon you, this wealth. "

This message was last edited by the player at 03:21, Thu 05 Oct 2023.

Ok at this point id like the players to write a brief description of their character in their Character Description section. Nothing elaborate - maybe a physical description of what others see (or what you want them to see?) of him/her and maybe some personality traits they exhibit?

Remember, you only write what you want to reveal - as play progresses, perhaps more will be discovered of your character through combat or other unique situations by the others...

I will get with each player to narrow down powers and abilities they have if i havent already so i am aware of them and what books they might be in so i can look them up to better run the game during description/combat scenes. Once i get a feel for what the group has class-wise or race-wise, ill decide on bringing in an NPC to fill in the gaps.

We will be starting in the city of Waterdeep and branch out from there. The date will be the 3rd day of Hammer (January) so dress warm!

Any questions you guys have dont hesistate to reach out either here or in PM (continue to use the thread of the mail you sent for your RTJ for private questions)

Note to self: study Elemental Adaptation soon!

Just a Warning... Sun's bad for me, but hey, Shandri you can wear me! I can be nice and comfy... wait... wrong way around.. sorry, thought cold, not heat again. Not too good with common..
This message was last edited by the player at 03:10, Fri 06 Oct 2023.

In reply to Mimi (msg # 67):

I fancied the original picture more-it seemed more...wealthy and you are a mimic so I might have to eat all that treasure in self-defence. Nothing personal, truly.

 I was right, Don't bring up the wealth I got from the wizard, no one ever trusts it... Give my mimic children instead.

Eagerly anticipating some descriptions from our mysterious cast of characters.

I see we have a sixth now. Hellow there!

Hello, all! Ponder Kresh at your service.

I've just updated Ponder. He is a character I created some years ago and had to drop out of that game for professional reasons. He's a fully developed character that I loved creating. I decided to drag him out of bed, er, retirement and put him back to work.

So sounds like a Bard.... there are too many jokes.

Not a bard, though he is a bit of a lady's man.

He was originally created under 1st edition rules. Bards are very difficult to build up if they are even allowed.

Alright not familiar with that, just understand bards are prestige classes, and prestige classes tended to be hard to build up for in that edition. Checked and it was apparently stat based. Yikes.

What are your capabilities?


As a mimic, that makes me vulnerable to all Mimicry, Slime, object and tentacle based jokes

Is that why you wanted me to wear you? ^.^

Actually no.

I have a 5ft movement speed, and am blind during the day.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:39, Mon 09 Oct 2023.

In reply to Mimi (msg # 77):

I need to kick it around with the DM before I get too deep into it. Ponder is an odd character professionally, having done a rare thing with his career.

Will be nice to have Bard like figure around!

Wait, Mimi is an actual mimic? I thought it was a joke! This could be a lot of fun. So which sort is she?

In reply to Mimi (msg # 79):

I think that 5' move stat is based on if you stay in a Treasure Chest form (i picture mimics moving like snails in a dungeon). Being a PC, you can transform into any inanimate form - including one with legs - so i consider you having the same speed as a Kobold or Gnome since you are a small size...So you are a living breathing Lawn Ornament or moving Statue!

Daylight will still be an issue however...

I used Ponder as a template for a bard npc in one of my games. I suppose the DM and I could kick a more 'bardish' approach to things. As it stands now, he has some distinctly non-rougish abilities but they do not originate in music.

I'll give that suggestion some thought.

Mimi wandering the dungeon as a side table is a pretty funny mental image. I don't think I've ever seen anyone play a mimic though I can see the potential for fun.

In reply to Ponder Kresh (msg # 84):

If thats what you wanna play, then by all means!

We are technically in the character creation phase here - some have nailed down their ideas while others still have some fine tuning to do...Its a little bit of a challenge turning a stat-based game into free form but not impossible.

Like i said, this is an experiment of sorts on my part.

In reply to DM (msg # 85):

I've gone rules lite and VERY rules lite but to abandon the stats altogether seems to invite chaos. Looks like we have some good characters in development, so hey, it may work. We'll need some sort of framework, sure, but no 6 page sheets is good.

Mimi is a common mimic.

Very nice, though somehow I doubt she'll be 'common'.

Given the common Mimics aren't the Mimics I think of when you say common Mimics. The assumption proves true.

In reply to Mimi (msg # 89):

Granted, in older versions of the game, one just encountered killer mimics. And were frequently eaten for their trouble.

https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Mimic

Wait. People EAT those things? Ick.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:24, Mon 09 Oct 2023.

Yep. I really do think Mimics as a whole were drastically underutilized, due to them being a monster, and not a PC. You can do a lot of crap if you can replicate the functionality of many objects just by simulating material, and appearance.

I can see the fun in it. I'd never considered playing one due to them being more or less stationary but, with the right group, could be good. I've allowed (and played) a few monster races but nothing that was not humanoid. Can't wait to see how it comes out.

Ive been shot down for some crazy ideas - the crab man with the illithid template with the Medic class named Dr. Zoidberg was soundly shot down by my old DM years ago.

What could have been...

In reply to Mimi (msg # 91):

Mostly because they were originally conceived as a trap for careless adventurers rather than as shapeshifting tools. Evil wizards have no imagination!

I tried a cafeteria plan style character creation. Classless. Open to most anything that could potentially communicate and cooperate in a dungeon delving setting. Using XP requirements to buy your abilities, hit dice and resistances.

First group worked out fairly well, the second didn't get it and, as the first group moved onto other things, I just scraped the idea. Most gamers want to say, "I'm a Paladin!" (and I'm OK..) not, "I can shoot a bow and use spells but, yeah, that's about it."

In reply to Ponder Kresh (msg # 95):

Most players interested in that go for already-classless systems, like GURPS and HERO. Doing it with D&D can work, but usually if you go in for D&D you're going in for D&D.

I'm personally excited about getting to focus more on the story, character development and lore Faerun without having to worry so much about the paperwork.

Interesting side note. According to my long stint of reading, and thus no idea where I read it. While likely true out of game. At least one variation of dnd Mimics were the house mimic. The ones that are rather passive, and just function as furniture inside someone's house.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:12, Mon 09 Oct 2023.

Yeah... these were our house mimics back in the day.



As in: Oh, an abandoned house ripe for the looting, come on in, it's perfectly safe.

In reply to Ponder Kresh (msg # 99):

Not the Dread Gazebo!

That's one aspect of mimics I love every size of Mimic is capable of doing so much with their mass. Only a couple of factors determine Mimics size, and nothing truly prevents a mimic from growing or shrinking past their standard size, as far as I could find.

OK, so she gets big and imitates a treasure house to which we lure the bad guys and...

Snack!

Well that's terrifying...

Meh. Pragmatic.

It's a cheap way to feed her.

I did not even consider feeding costs for a creature that size.

Nor did I ever think I would have to.

How many calories does a chest sized mimic need a day? These are the real questions.

A large mimic consumes 1 Adventurer on average per week. Scale that down to a 1/4th for a small, or two sizes down, mimic, and realize I can't be overfed. An average adult is about 150 lbs divide that by 7 than 4. Or about 6 lbs of meat per day. Anything over and I can use it for other things.

Edit: Calories amounts to about 4500 calories.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:09, Tue 10 Oct 2023.

So 6 lbs of meat a day. That's er, a goblin arm. Doable. I don't see a big problem.

Hmmm... pokes chat thread...

Define dead? I'm still here, I've just talked to death the only concept I have any authority over.

I didn't think so. Tell me how you plan to handle combat and situations like traps and locked doors. Kick it around a bit before we get into the game, as it were.

Well, combat is grappling an enemy, and nomming them.

Traps and Locked doors are the more interesting places. That's more of a question: how much shapeshifting can I do?

I will assume I'm relying on 5e shapeshifting from here on out until told the contrary.

This means I need to be one coherent object or set of objects, and can't do something like a partial shapeshift.

I give birth to a baby mimic about the size of a coin and make it turn into a lockpick or key. It depends, on if I want to help someone or If I'm sticking to a solo adventure-type deal. Solo adventure allows a bit more wiggle room in my experience.

Trap? What kind?

let's go with a floor trap, I turn into a straight beam-like object, let people walk over me, and then using my adhesive abilities, I simply move forward.

Let's go with a tripwire that's say a foot off the ground, I turn into a carpet and simply crawl forward.




We stand before a cliff, I turn into a rope, use my adhesive abilities and climb, and then use my rope body to help others climb up the cliff.

We encounter an object on a pedestal, and we need a replacement to stay on there, I create a mimic child with the same approximate weight as the object, based on, my assumptions, and let it stay there, as we steal the object.


I walk into the city, I stay in teddy bear form because it's the most nonthreatening clearly nonhuman shape I can think of that's a pure object.


I find a field of lasers each one activating a deadly trap. I turn into a rope and slither forward relying on my adhesive abilities, if needed to cling to the walls, to ensure my entire body goes through.

I find a turret, it only detects movement, I figure out the fastest an object can pass through its range, and then crawl forward, as a mimic, I'm slow, and steady.

You've thought this out. Sounds like a good addition to the party. Ponder (the original) started life as a thief then converted to mage. Early editions don't allow for more than one switch and that's really tough to do. The DM allowed me a small update to "dead class" skills as we went along but Ponder never really stopped being a thief at heart, of hearts.

In reply to Ponder Kresh (msg # 113):

Yeah that makes sense.


I've thought about this a lot. In every oddball scenario, I've thought of something, but It's not always nice and neat.


Social encounters are my real bane, It's hard to convince anyone that a mimic's trustworthy, and whenever I think of even buying something I have to rely on someone else actually doing the buying.

And while I can fight, mimics are best as a sneak attack option, something I doubt we'll be seeing too often.

Which is why, their real purpose is out of combat utility. Even in those cases, A Grappling hook and rope, a set of lockpicks, I always base it off of something, because a mimic is fundamentally just a creature that replicates other items. It's just a lot of items tend to be useful when you apply them creatively.

If you ever encountered shapesand, I'm effectively just a variant of that, in some places I exceed it's utility, In others, I am inferior to it.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 23:38, Wed 11 Oct 2023.

This is starting to sound a lot of fun.

Also, here, here's a class, that i'm just strictly inferior to.

https://dndtools.org/classes/sand-shaper/

In reply to Mimi (msg # 116):

I wouldn't say that. Sand shaping? Sounds like it gets into everything!

It has been a little bit.

How are things looking for game start GM?

Waiting for Annastarria to post her description & Scriostus to do the same & get back to me on something...

Need a day or so. Took a fall at work and had to be seen in my own bloody trauma unit which was embarrassing g. Right now I am flying from the meds they gave me so anything I did now like either be rubbish or quite funny. Probably the former.

Not going to lie, that sounds absolutely awful. I've had an experience like that.

However, from personal experience if you react to those kinds of meds like I did.

You might want to write something to yourself, not something you need to share with anyone else. But if your in an altered state, your unlikely to remember it, and it might make your day in the future. I know I did.

But that's a personal anecdote, not a doctors opinion.

In reply to Annastarria (msg # 120):

Sorry to hear this! My X (a nurse) had a similar mishap and wound up downstairs in the ER. Fortunately, there were no direct witnesses, so her humiliation was minimal. The incident was revisited two weeks ago when she had surgery to (finally) repair the foot. Happily, she's doing well.

And yes! you should write something in private. The mind does some odd things when it's in an altered state, you might have a good idea or three.

So, Annasstaria is injured, how about Scriostus? Anyone know something about them?

Ok, so i had planned to start the game today - however, my laptop said "The f&%k you are" and now am in the midst of a System Restore.

Hope it works because doin stuff on a phone is not practical and a bit annoying...

Appreciate the update!

I'm not really sure what you were waiting on me to reply to. I'll go work on my description now.

I've updated my description. And yes, he is essentially a house cat.

It was going to be longer, but it required The Character sitting on me, doing something. As in Shandri noticing the shifting of the chair, and having Mimi be aware of that before she could react. So, I figured it would be best to just keep it short.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:46, Wed 18 Oct 2023.

No worries.

Reaction to Mimi has been posted and you may continue with your plan.

Alright, Second posts, posted.

Description added. Apologies for the delay but I knocked my wee melon a bit harder than first thought.

That took me longer to figure out than I'd like to admit.

One Problem, Sunlight sensitivity.

But, True!
This message was last edited by the player at 18:52, Sun 22 Oct 2023.

Good way to get rid of porch pirates.

Just waiting on Annastarria to post her intro and then i can move things along...

I'm working on it but I don't fancy what I've written. I've deleted and started over several times already. Maybe because my brains are still scrambled. ><

Let's see. I joined the game 1 October. You were chatting the game up before that and still waiting on your submission?

GM, kindly remove me, thank you.

I suffered a fall and severe concussion whilst at work. Sorry for the inconvenience.

In reply to Ponder Kresh (msg # 138):

Removal forthcoming

In reply to Annastarria (msg # 139):

Sorry to hear you got your bell rung - ill just say you're there then and move things along - ill have a post up tomorrow!

Sorry to hear that, Anna. I hope you're doing well and am glad to have you with us.

Thank you. Still dealing with post-concussion syndrome and likely will for awhile. This was my second concussion in two years. One more and I get a free knife set.

Mimi….come back to us!!

Ok guys - just a quick roll call since we had a little slow down - both in game and RL as now the Thanksgiving weekend has come and gone...

I still exist, in some quantum state.

Still around.

**burrows under her blankets and pillows**  “Murfle blergh”

Ok, 3 down - ill wait till the end of the week & if i dont hear from the rest, PMs will be sent out and we'll move on - till then, feel free to meet & greet - Larias is still there if you wish to speak to him as well as he was just packing up his stuff but he did not leave the meeting room.

I'm still here in some entangled state.

To the player of Mimi - ill give you till Sunday to respond. You got Rmail disabled so i gotta post here to give you a heads up. If i don't hear from you by Monday afternoon, im gonna cut you loose.

We'll all move on then as well...

Ok, had to remove Mimi - a shame as i was liking the character and it was such a great idea for a character concept!

If everyone is cool with it, ill move the game along to the next day.

Works for me.

Sounds good.

have at it

Tis a shame but let's crack on!

Post coming tomorrow guys - stay tuned!

Apologies - day late & a post short...RL crap - but post is up now!

Merry Christmas everyone!

I'll post after Xmas day.

Ill move the story along tomorrow - stay tuned!

Where did our wee dragon go?

Not sure - ill give it a few days & then send the PM poke

Sorry!

I'm back!

Ill move the story along tomorrow guys

I should have mentioned that I am going to be out of town for a few days. I have not abandoned the game.

Ok a quick roll call as things got quiet again - when you answer, choose a number from 1 to 4 and once done ill continue the story from there!

3.

Darn thing says "please put some meaningful text into your message" and I'm like :| because you just wanted me to pick a number.

In reply to Shandri (msg # 167):

Next time say, "A meaningful 3"!

A meaningful 3!

Still here. Had a return to hospital due to the bloody pneumonia. ><

4!

In reply to Annastarria (msg # 170):

Hope your feeling better! Pick a number between 1 and 4 when you get a chance.

We might have lost the player of Aldred - sent him a PM poke but got nothing yet...If i dont hear nothing by Sunday, ill move the story along.

Since i got no response from the player of Aldred, ill NPC him till i find a good spot to write him out.

Ill continue the story later today or tomorrow!

Number choices made - now to see what happens...
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:50, Mon 19 Feb.

Ok, i have removed the player of Aldred - lets just say he never went with the group on their journey to Ardeep.

Im good with the 3 players + my NPC for now if everyone else is?

I’m good to continue with three.

Good enough.

Hi guys  - we still around?

My last post involved Shandril while everyone was looking in their respective directions...

Still here. Nothing happening in my direction!

I think I missed it. Will post soonish.

Hi guys - seems we hit an invisible wall as far as posting.

Just to re-hash what is going on...

Shandril is face to face with a Manticore who burst from a dead tree she was investigating, diving toward her to attack, she managed to strike the beast with her hand to hand skill and it clawed her in return - the beast looks to pounce once more but it does not notice the small form of Scriostus flying behind toward the Manticore.

The roar of the beast did not go unnoticed and Annastarria did hear it but is at a distance and is pondering her options.

Ok - so i havent seen any movement in the game so im guessing the players have lost interest or RL is a challenge ATM.

With that being said, unless i dont hear from anyone by next weekend ill schedule the game for deletion.

I'll have a post up later today. Time to go help with the Manticore.